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County Commissioners set for another round of budget talks

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by:
Nolan Peterson
News Editor

Taxpayers will get one more look at Sarasota County’s proposed fiscal year 2014 budget Monday at the second of two legally required public hearings.

With relatively little pushback from area residents, the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners (BCC) gave an initial nod at a Sept. 9 public hearing to a proposed $1.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2014 —a 17% increase over last year's $896 million budget.

Despite the increase in spending, the county millage rate will not increase next year due in part to increased revenue from a rejuvenated post-recession economy. Property tax revenue is still projected to increase by about $6 million, due to a 4.2% increase in property values countywide.

The budget allots $243 million for the general fund — approximately a 7% jump from 2013. The BCC controls more than $114 million, or about 47% of the general fund. The Sheriff’s Office and other constitutional officials account for the remainder.

The 2014 budget takes effect Oct. 1.

Monday’s budget adoption public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 South Tamiami Trail, Venice.